Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Major: Cinematic Arts
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: A year & a half.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: Linehan Artists Scholar
Student Life Social Media Intern
IRC Intern
SUCCESS Program Student Coordinator
Critical Social Justice Student Alliance President
Women of Color Coalition Member
Rock Climbing Club Member
Student Life Social Media Intern
IRC Intern
SUCCESS Program Student Coordinator
Critical Social Justice Student Alliance President
Women of Color Coalition Member
Rock Climbing Club Member
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: I'm a social justice filmmaker and equal rights advocate, here to listen.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: Meeting new members of our community and learning about everyone's diverse background. I love getting feedback on films I've made on various critical social justice issues, meeting people through them recognizing me from my films, and picking it up from there.
Maybe my favorite thing of all is starting conversations & spreading them, in particular, conversations that many people don't know or think we need to be having.
Maybe my favorite thing of all is starting conversations & spreading them, in particular, conversations that many people don't know or think we need to be having.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: Ask and you shall receive.
Just because something seems highly unlikely or improbable doesn't mean you shouldn't go for it or that it's impossible. You'll never know if you don't ask, and in choosing not to you are likely missing out on countless opportunities. For example, for a web series pilot I am currently producing ("Marylandia"), I wanted to include President Freeman Hrabowski in a sketch about something totally random.
I considered not asking, finding something else, maybe this idea was too big etc. Not only did he agree to star in it, he absolutely MADE the sketch and in doing so gave a great message to all of the UMBC community. If I had listened to that little voice in my head that said "Don't ask", that sketch might not have even made the final cut and I would've missed out on that amazing experience.
Q: What is one way you have worked with others to make a positive difference at UMBC or in another community?
A: One of my films, “Future Children,” brought the issue of mixed race identity to the attention of the greater/national public. I was a featured commentator on an NBC 4 broadcast (DC/MD); I was interviewed twice on WHUR 97.3 radio and was invited to screen the film in Los Angeles at Universal Studios. Absolutely none of this would have been possible without my incredible cast of 20+ UMBC students, who took the time out of their day to star in, compose music for, and support this project.
A: Critically analyzing one's own personal bias. knitting. skepticism. comedy central shows.
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
Also my YouTube/Tumblr page is "EmilyonWishes" just throwing that out there.
The people who work alongside me for UMBC Student Life are an impeccable resource and some of the most genuinely kind & interesting people I've met here.
I know I can always have a thought-provoking conversation at the Mosaic Center's "What's the Tea?" social justice discussions.
And the UMBC Women's Center is full of some of the most open minded, beautiful and strong people I've met on campus who are dedicated to seeing this school and the world change for justice and equality.
If you haven't checked out those places or met those people, I'd suggest you get the chance to ASAP. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank them and Freeman for everything that they have done for me and are doing for the greater student population at UMBC.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
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